If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers
What’s inside...
This guide by David J. Smith simplifies complex concepts for children by scaling them down to human-sized comparisons. It includes clever devices like compressing Earth's history into one year and dividing all the world's wealth into one hundred coins. Each idea is accompanied by kid-friendly illustrations by Steve Adams, making difficult ideas more understandable. This book is an excellent resource for classroom use, with project suggestions and additional resources for deeper exploration.
Age
8-12
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
If our neighborhood was a small village of 100 people, what do you think it would look like?
How do you imagine life would be different if the Earth was only as big as a classroom?
What are some big ideas or numbers from the book that surprised you?
How do big numbers and comparisons help us understand the world better?
If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child to summarize what they understand about 'scale' and 'proportions' from the book.
Use everyday objects or situations to draw parallels to the concepts discussed in the book, making them more relatable and tangible.
Encourage your child to draw or visualize some of the big ideas or numbers presented to deepen their understanding.
Pose hypothetical questions based on the book's content to foster critical thinking and creativity.
Discuss how understanding big ideas and numbers can be helpful in everyday decision-making and perspective.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding of Scale and Magnitude
Explanation: The book uniquely illustrates complex subjects like the vastness of the universe or the total number of atoms, by scaling down these enormous figures to more comprehensible concepts and everyday objects.
Real-World Application: Children can use this scale understanding to grasp large numbers and abstract concepts in their daily learning, such as in mathematics or science classes.
Example Lesson: Importance of Perspective
Explanation: By presenting big ideas through relatable comparisons, the book encourages readers to see the world from different perspectives, illustrating how varying viewpoints can lead to deeper understanding.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to appreciate and consider different viewpoints in discussions, whether at school in debates or sharing opinions with friends.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The book challenges readers to think critically about information by breaking down complex ideas into simpler forms, pushing them to question and analyze the data they encounter.
Real-World Application: This skill aids children in problem-solving and making informed decisions in everyday scenarios from interpreting news to understanding advertisements.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Learning
Explanation: ‘If’ uses innovative visualizations and comparisons, promoting a creative approach to learning that can make difficult subjects engaging and fun.
Real-World Application: Students can apply creativity to their projects and presentations, making learning more engaging and effective both for themselves and their peers.